Club News ..................................................................... Pages 24-45
Resident Kudos Page 46
Neighborhood Captains News Page 47
Advertisements Pages 48-76
Activities Events (back of calendar) .......... Insert Pages E1-E3
Monthly Calendar (back of Activities Events) Insert
Weekly Fitness Schedule Calendar Insert
ON THE COVER
Here’s the Game Plan: Rally your buddies, grab your tailgate gear and purchase tickets for our first ever Ultimate Tailgate Party on Saturday, September 28th in the Freedom Park parking lot. Come cheer, dance and party hard as you enjoy a lineup of activities including a DJ, live band, games, competitions, photo booth, strolling entertainers and cash-only bars. See all the event details in the Event Pages located on the back of the calendar insert. Ready, Set, Let’s Go Solivita! Photos by Arzaga Spike Dillard.
ADVERTISING INFO
Solivita reserves the right to refuse advertisement and does not guarantee any work or claims made by advertisers. Advertisement in Reflections does not constitute an endorsement or approval of goods or services by Solivita. No advertisements containing politics, political affiliations or campaign materials will be accepted. For More Information: Visit the advertising website at SolivitaAdvertising.com, call 863-440-0377, or email SolivitaAdvertising@SolivitaClub. com. Contracts are available to download on the website.
NEWSLETTER SUBMISSIONS
Email submissions to Reflections@SolivitaClub.com
OCTOBER SUBMISSIONS
Calendar submissions and club newsletter articles are due on Friday, August 30th. Club flyer insert copies are due by Friday, September 20th, but must be approved by Sheri Wollschlager (Sheri.Wollschlager@ CastleGroup.com) or Wilman De Jesus (Wilman. DeJesus@CastleGroup.com) before they are copied.
NOVEMBER SUBMISSIONS
Calendar submissions and newsletter articles are due on Tuesday, October 1st
REFLECTIONS DELIVERY
If you are leaving Solivita or returning to the community and want to change the status of the Reflections delivery to your home, you can do this on the Gate Website. Log on to the website at websites. vertilinc.com/solivitahoa and click the Reflections button or tab. Change delivery status to YES or NO. Contact Membership for log on information at SolivitaMembership@Evergreen-LM.com
PHOTO RELEASE AGREEMENT
Evergreen Lifestyles Management (ELM) and Castle Group (CG) reserve the right to use any photograph/ video taken at any event sponsored by ELM or CG and the respective community the event is happening in, without expressed written permission of those included within the photograph/video. ELM or CG may use the photograph/video in publications or other media material produced, used or contracted by ELM or CG including but not limited to: brochures, invitations, books, newspapers, magazines, television, websites, etc. To ensure the privacy of individuals and children, images will not be identified using full names or personal identifying information without written approval from the photographed subject, parent or legal guardian.
SOLIVITA HEALTH FAIR
October 16, 2024 9am - 12pm SAVE THE DATE
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 2ND:
4pm & 7pm $7 » Mosaics Reserve Your Table & Purchase Your Limited DrinkOnlineSelection Trivia
Select Mondays
Select Tuesdays
5pm-9pm » Art Gallery $7 General Admission Includes Limited Drink Selection Karaoke
Read more information and who is permitted to attend these events on the back of the monthly newsletter calendar or go to the SolivitaHOA.com Home Page and click on the RSVP or Purchase Ticketed Events icon. For questions, email or call the Activities Department at SolivitaActivities@CastleGroup.com or 863-427-7125.
Creating a Habitat with Native Wildflowers
BY BOB MONICA HOA CONSERVATION & WILDLIFE COMMITTEE CHAIR
Landscaping with native Florida wildflowers and plants is a topic of great interest for many Solivita residents. Indeed, beautifying your home while supporting the natural environment is a worthwhile goal supported by your Homeowners Association.
gems into your landscape with an understanding as to how their inclusion can contribute to restoring lost ecosystems, bringing a touch of “Real Florida” to your landscape design while fostering biodiversity and sustainability.
To support the effort, your Conservation & Wildlife Committee is sponsoring a presentation on Creating Habitats with Native Wildflowers by Stacey Matrazzo, Executive Director of the Florida Wildflower Foundation. Stacey is an environmental educator with a BS degree in environmental studies and an MA from Rollins College, where she is now an adjunct professor. A native Floridian, she is a Certified Florida Master Naturalist who conducts native plant and edible plant hikes and has co-authored Native Plants for Florida Gardens (with Nancy Bissett; Pineapple Press, 2019).
The presentation will focus on the transformative power of native wildflowers and plants in residential landscaping, celebrating the joys of gardening. Stacey will explore the intricate beauty and vital ecological roles of Florida’s native species, introducing some easy-to-grow native plants and discussing how they enhance surrounding aesthetics while playing a crucial role in conservation efforts by creating habitats for butterflies, birds, bees and other wildlife.
» DATE: Wednesday, September 25th
» TIME: 10am
» PLACE: Starlite Ballroom
» PRICE: FREE TO ALL SOLIVITA RESIDENTS
Join us and gather practical tips on integrating these native
The Florida Wildflower Foundation protects, connects and expands native wildflower habitats through education, research, planting and conservation programs. Learn more about their work and how you can support them at www.FlaWildflowers.org
HOA CONTACT INFORMATION
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
» President - Larry Anson: SolivitaHOAPresident@SolivitaHOA.com
» Vice President - Jim Edge: SolivitaVicePresident@SolivitaHOA.com
Salute Our Veterans Weekend is designed to celebrate Veterans and their families. We raise money for a select charity to help improve the lives of the many selfless men and women who bravely served our Nation. This year, all proceeds benefit:
$70 per person or $280 for a foursome ( before October 1st) $75 per person or $300 for a foursome (starting October 1st). Residents and Non-Residents Welcome. Golf Entry Includes: Continental Breakfast, Green & Cart Fee Waived, Range Balls Before Play, On Course Special Events, Raffles, Goody Bags and Prizes (Closest to the Pin, Longest Putt, 1st, 2nd and 3rd Place); Lunch and Awards to follow. Register online at SolivitaHOA.com by clicking on the Salute Our Veterans Weekend banner beginning Tuesday, September 3rd (due to Labor Day on the 2nd) at 9am.
Bonkerz Comedy Show
Sunday, November 10th
Show is at 7pm. Ballroom doors open for Early Open Show Seating (EOSS) 30 minutes before the show and General Admission doors open 25 minutes before the show begins. General Admission is $25 and EOSS is $30 per person. Adult guests welcome.
Gid Pool, Air Force and Army Veteran
Gid Pool served as an E-6 in the Air Force and Army and his family also has a long line of military service. Gid’s father flew B-29s in WW2, his son flew Blackhawks in Iraq, and his grandson is in NATO flight school. Gid has performed his “Gid’s World” Comedy Tour in more than fifty-five countries, at the world’s largest comedy festival in Edinburgh, Scotland and shared the stage with Gladys Knight! His unique look at the state of the world and some crazy relationships has been featured on “Dry Bar Comedy,” “Today Show” and written about in the “Wall Street Journal.”
Scott Orbany, Navy Veteran
Born in the punchline of America…Cleveland, being the youngest of three and the son of a fireman, Scott honed his skills as a smart alec and juvenile delinquent. After driving his parents nuts and barely making it out of high school, he quickly weighed his options and joined the US Navy. For 9 years in the submarine service, he drove his Chief nuts. Eventually getting stationed in Orlando, Scott decided to follow his dream of making bad life decisions by getting married (the first of two failed marriages). Performing across the country, Scott enjoys sharing his observations on his life. One thing is for sure his comedy will leave you saying “Wow! I hope that guy is being monitored.”
Tickets available online at SolivitaHOA.com by clicking on the Salute Our Veterans Weekend banner beginning Tuesday, September 3rd (due to Labor Day on the 2nd) at 9am.
Veterans Day Memorial Ceremony & Breakfast
Monday, November 11th
$15 per person. Guest of all ages welcome. Veterans Day will begin with a wonderful ceremony presented by the Veterans Club of Solivita at 9am at the Veterans Memorial in Freedom Park. After the ceremony, join us for a delicious breakfast in the Ballroom. The breakfast buffet menu includes fluffy scrambled eggs with cheese; bacon; country style potatoes; warm croissants; self-serve coffee, orange juice, cranberry juice and water.
Tickets available online at SolivitaHOA.com by clicking on the Salute Our Veterans Weekend banner beginning Tuesday, September 3rd (due to Labor Day on the 2nd) at 9am. A limited number of tickets will also be sold by the Veterans Club.
*Refunds will not be accepted or given for any of the events.*
Co-Sponsored by the Solivita University Committee and Activities
No studying, tests or exams are given, just enlightening topics to keep your mind energized. All classes are 90 minutes long, unless otherwise noted. Solivita University class calendar and faculty biographies can be found on SolivitaHOA.com under Get Connected. Adult guests welcome. For more information, stop in, call the Activities Office at 863-427-7125, or email SolivitaActivities@ CastleGroup.com.
Beginners Conversational Spanish Course
8 Classes: Mondays, October 14th, 21st, 28th and November 4th and Tuesdays, October 15th, 22nd, 29th and November 5th • 9:30am in the Gator Room
Tuition and Registration: $40 per student.
RSVP your seat at SolivitaHOA.com at the Purchase Activities Events and SU Classes icon, scan the QR code or call the Activities office. Bring cash or check payment to the first class.
Instructor : Carmen Boos
Course Description: Learn the two verbs “To & Be = Ser & Estar” and the rules which govern the use of each of through dialogue. These verbs and the interrogatives will also be learned. Assorted vocabulary lists will be provided. Students will be able to request phrases to use for a working vocabulary that will help when speaking to Spanish speakers.
Encouraging Collaboration Through Effective Dialogue
4 Classes: Wednesdays, October 30th, November 6th, 13th and 20th • 1pm in the Magnolia Room Tuition and Registration: $20 per student.
RSVP your seat at SolivitaHOA.com at the Purchase Activities Events and SU Classes icon, scan the QR code or call the Activities office. Bring cash or check payment to the first class. Limited class size.
Professor : David Duncan Course Description: Discourse takes many forms – debate, discussion, negotiation, and so forth. Each form has its place. This course explores a form of discourse called dialogue, defined as the art of thinking together. Facilitated dialogue allows participants to generate ideas and solutions that integrate the best thinking of all participants and is effective when addressing complex issues requiring innovative solutions and fresh thinking. Facilitating dialogue is an especially useful skill for those who lead boards, clubs, and other organizations. Each session will include a 10-15-minute mini-lecture followed by interactive group dialogue about the topic for that session. Topics include forms of discourse; frames of reference; and barriers to collaboration.
Septembers Adventures!
BY SHELLEY DESTEFANO COMMUNITY CONCIERGE
You have endless options to live an adventurous life in Florida. Please see below for the special dates and events in the area to enjoy this month.
Important Dates:
» Labor Day: Monday, September 2nd
» National Grandparents Day: Sunday, September 8th
» Polk County Waste will stop recycling on Tuesday, September 24th, which will be the last collection day. After September 24th, you can still use your recycling bin for yard waste while it is in good condition. Your other option would be to call Polk County Waste at 863-2844319 to get it removed. Please visit www.polk-county.net/ services/waste-and-recycling for more information.
Things Going on in the Area:
The 2024 Fanboy Expo will be running at the West Building of the Orange County Convention Center from September 6th through the 8th located at 9800 International Drive in Orlando. Non-refundable ticket prices range from $30 all the way up to $799. Please visit www.occc.net for more information and to buy tickets.
Repticon Kissimmee will be at the Osceola Heritage Park Event Center located at 1901 Chief Osceola Trail in Kissimmee on September 7th at 9am and September 8th at 10am. Adult tickets are $12, kids ages 5-12 are $6, and kids ages 4 and under are free. If you want to learn about reptiles and exotic animals,
you will enjoy this expo. Please visit www.ohpark.com for more information.
Haines City will have their 2nd Cigar & Wine Festival on September 21st from 11am to 8pm located at the Haines City Hall, 620 East Main Street in Haines City. Obviously if you like cigars or wine, you will enjoy this event. Please visit hcquarters. com for more information about this free entry event.
Please visit the Concierge page on SolivitaHOA.com for more things to do in the area.
New destinations are always fun, so continue to explore and live a life you adore.
Community Concierge 863-427-7100
Shelley.Destefano@CastleGroup.com
FRIENDS WHO HAVE LEFT US, BUT ARE NOT FORGOTTEN
Our thoughts are with the families and friends of the residents who recently passed away.
Jorge Amador Jerold Greenzang
Charles ‘Chucky Bilal’ Hall
Audrey M. Lauer
Check-Call-Compress
SUBMITTED
BY
ERIC LARSON TEAM LEADER OF SOLIVITA CERT
Several years ago, Solivita CERT, in conjunction with Polk County Fire Rescue, began to offer Check-Call-Compress classes (compression-only CPR and AED training) here in our community. Since those beginnings, eight people in Solivita who experienced Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) were successfully resuscitated before EMTs arrived on scene. This is eight out of eight occurrences!
SCA mostly affects people in Solivita’s 55+ age group. It strikes without prior warning and can happen anytime—while playing pickleball or golf or even less-active pursuits like attending a club meeting in the Village. We also note that we are seeing younger adults suffering a SCA incident such as Demar Hamlin.
Classes
Nearly 4,000 residents have taken this hands-on course. They have the skills to save a life in a situation like this. If you haven’t taken this free class, watch for announcements of upcoming classes. The class will teach you how to recognize sudden cardiac arrest, what to do next, how to provide efficient and effective chest compressions and how to use an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) before EMTs arrive.
SPEED ENFORCEMENT
Until EMTs take over, immediate chest compressions keep blood flowing and an AED can restart the heartbeat.
AED Locations
Do you know we have approximately 90 AEDs in Solivita? Where are they? You’ve probably seen them in the Village buildings, The Palms and Freedom Park, but many more are in our neighborhoods. A list by neighborhood is maintained on SolivitaHOA.com under Docs & Info > AEDs.
Better than that list, you can install a free app on your smartphone that will show a map of your location and the nearby AEDs. The app is called PulsePoint AED. This app works wherever you are, not just in Solivita. Nationwide over 83,000 AEDs are registered in the PulsePoint database.
AED Program
Speaking of AEDs, how did they get there? The AEDs in our neighborhoods are the direct result of efforts by resident Stanley Dillard and the Solivita Showtime Entertainers. Their goal was to have one within a few minutes of every home in Solivita. You see them now on posts around our neighborhoods.
Joining the Showtime Entertainers and Solivita CERT is the Neighborhood Captains Program. They have assumed the responsibility of inspecting and maintaining the HOA AEDs. They will also assist in promoting the use of the PulsePoint app and the Check-Call-Compress classes.
In summary, if you haven’t taken the two-hour Check-Call-Compress class, it’s time to do so. You, too, can SAVE A LIFE. Make sure your friends learn as well, so they can save you! Also, make plans to attend the next Solivita Showtime Entertainers show next spring.
The HOA, Security, and the Polk County Sheriff’s Office receive multiple complaints of speeding each week from residents within the Solivita community. The Sheriff’s Office has been asked for their assistance in speed enforcement. Receiving a speeding ticket is not only financially costly, but can lead to much more serious results. Did you know, a driver is six times more likely to have an accident when traveling at 25% above the posted speed limit?
The R2R Resource Center is Just a Few Clicks Away …
As always, you can find the Resident to Resident (R2R) Resource Center above the Bistro. Staffed by knowledgeable volunteers, we are open weekdays from 9am until 3pm. If you’re looking to borrow medical equipment or searching for information, we’re here to help.
And, while our “live” workshops will be fewer in number, we are enhancing our virtual presence through the R2R webpage. Our goal is to make this your primary “resource” for everything from technology to entertainment. As we rebuild the webpage, make a point to visit and see what’s new.
To find us on SolivitaHOA.com, click “Get Connected,” then click on the R2R Resource Center icon.
As summer winds down and we are no longer hiding in the air conditioning ... it’s time to get out of the house. That’s why our
COMMUNITY EVENTS
IT’S COUNTRY TIME – COUNTRY CRUSH DANCE PARTY
Sunday, September 8th • 6pm • Ballroom
first new addition to the webpage is “What Are We Going to Do Today.” It’s full of ideas for something different to do, whether just a new venue for sitting or reading, or a day-long excursion with plenty of fresh air. It’s easy to get into a rut, doing the same thing each day. Planning something new on a regular basis can make a world of difference in our enjoyment of life.
You can find “What Are We Going to Do Today” under the “Exploring Central Florida” section on the R2R webpage.
The Resource Center was created to support residents, so if you have ideas for articles on the webpage or other ways we can support you, please let us know.
R2R Resource Center 863-236-9973 SolivitaR2R@gmail.com
WALK TO HONOR 9/11 VICTIMS
Wednesday, September 11th • 10am-12pm Market Place in Freedom Park
Sponsored by PALS (Pets Are Loved in Solivita). All Solivita humans are invited to the Country Crush Dance Party! DJ Irwin will be hosting the Country Hoedown, plus all of your favorite line dances. Break out your cowboy hat and boots for a stomping good time. There will be a lot of fun things to do – dance, games, raffles, photo opps, and a cash bar. A goodie bag, door prizes and popcorn is included in the ticket price of $10. Bandanas are included as well. We hope you can come out and enjoy a night of great fun with us, meeting new friends, laughing, relaxing and hanging with the crowd. Bobby Bob, Patsy, Earl and the crew have already got their tickets, so don’t miss out! We have easy ticket delivery; just text 407-414-5750. We accept cash, checks and credit cards.
Sponsored by the Labyrinth Explorers at Solivita. In remembrance of the lives lost on September 11, 2001 and in honor of their enduring spirit, we invite you to join us for a reflective labyrinth walk. This walk will offer us a moment of quiet contemplation and collective remembrance. Before our walk, Bruce Menzies and Al Kawar, Solivita residents, will talk about their experience at the World Trade Center. We will gather around the labyrinth to walk, reflect on the bravery, unity and resilience that emerged from that tragic day. All are welcome to participate and connect with others as we honor the memory of those who were lost. For more information, contact Isabel Gutierrez at igutierrez110@gmail.com or 917-526-0981.
